History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 36

Author: Reifel, August J
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1648

USA > Indiana > Franklin County > History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions > Part 36

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metic to Fractions, Primary Grammar, Primary Geography __ 30 cents Arithmetic, Grammar, Geography, Ancient History, Rhetoric __. 40 cents Algebra, Natural Philosophy, Rhetoric, Physiology, Astronomy __ 50 cents Geometry, Trigonometry, Surveying, Mental and Moral Science,

Latin, Greek, Bookkeeping 60 cents

90 cents Music, including use of Piano

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The Presbyterians had an academy at Dunlapsville in Union county which started in the early fifties and which became a strong competitor of Brookville College later on. The Methodist church of Brookville succeeded in inducing the conference to establish a higher institution of learning in Brookville by assuring the conference that sufficient money could be raised locally to erect a suitable college building. The year following the closing of the seminary (1851) Brookville College was formally established in Brookville under the control of the Methodist church. This institution flourished for a score of years and attracted students from many of the neighboring counties. The following article on the college is written by one of its earliest students and not only gives the facts concerned with its history, but many interesting side lights on school life in the fifties :

BROOKVILLE COLLEGE. By Mrs. W. H. Bracken.

For a considerable part of this paper I am indebted to Jennie Miller, who so kindly loaned me a number of old catalogues of Brookville College . and several letters written to her brother, James Miller, by persons of whom he had inquired for information concerning teachers and pupils of the early days of the college's existence, all of which Mr. Miller and his sister collected and carefully preserved. Mr. Miller and his sister were both pupils in the college and knew much of its history personally. Also I owe Mrs. Goodwin thanks for the loan of one of the first catalogues ever sent out by Brook- ville College. From that catalogue I obtained some of the very earliest history of the college after it was fairly launched on its educational career.

The early residents of Brookville and Franklin county led in every- thing that was elevating and ennobling. Of course, they took great interest in education and, as fast as their limited means would permit, established schools. They hastened to avail themselves of the benefits of the seminary laws of 1818, and by 1833 they had the Franklin County Seminary in operation, and by 1837 the Laurel Academy, the other schools of the county keeping in touch with the other county schools of the state. The seminary, under able instructors, for a time gave satisfaction, but soon the need of better and higher institutions of learning became apparent, their necessity becoming more and more evident daily. For years the friends of education insisted upon better educational facilities, but nothing was done until 1849, when Rev. E. U. Sabin was appointed to the pastorate of the Methodist Episcopal church in Brookville. Rev. Sabin was soon impressed with the glaring deficiencies in local educational facilities and became a zealous

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advocate and untiring worker in behalf of a higher institution than the seminary, which was then doing its best under the circumstances, but failing to meet the demand. The friends of education, the Goodwins, Witts, Wel- lands, Johns, Johnsons, Speers, Prices, Tyners, Lynns, Carmichaels, Hay- monds, Williams, McCartys, Remys and many others whose names I do not now recall, joined Rev. Sabin in advocating the founding of a more advanced institution that would meet the demands. As usual, difficulties arose. What should it be called ? An academy or a college? Should it be denominational or undenominational ? Should it be in the northern or southern part of town? The name "Brookville College" was finally decided upon. It was established under the auspices of the Methodist church, and was under the control of that denomination during its whole career. The contentions as to where it should be located grew very warm and spirited, and at times assumed a serious aspect for the new institution.

The contentions were settled by James W. Speer returning from a visit to his old home in New Jersey and bringing with him a draft of a college built on an elevation. This, with the financial support of Mr. Speer, decided the matter of location. The plan first made of the building was shown to Walter Baker, who, with the eye of a practical mechanic, pointed out several defects and suggested several changes. Mr. Baker took the plans to Cin- cincinnati and submitted them to the examination of a Mr. Bayless, a leading architect, who heartily approved of the changes suggested by Mr. Baker and they were adopted. Previous to this, it had been determined to raise the money to erect the building by subscription, and papers were soon circulated soliciting donations of any amount. The largest donation received was one hundred dollars. However, the money was raised somehow, or at least enough of it to begin the erection of a college building in the spring of 1851 or 1852.

The enterprise was undertaken by men of energy and resolution and showed healthful progress, even in the first and second years of its existence, a sufficient pledge of its ultimate success.

It was designed to furnish every facility for obtaining as thorough a collegiate education, for both young men and young women, as could be furnished at that time at any college in the West. The first catalogue, pub- lished for 1851 and 1852, spoke of the beautiful spot on which the college building was being erected, and also stated that when completed it would be surpassed by very few college buildings in the West for convenience and academic purposes.

As soon as the college building was completed, it was the intention to

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build a large domicile on the campus for the residence of the president and for the accommodation of the boarders in the institution, but that build- ing was never even begun, though later on a part of the college building was fitted up and used by the president as a home. For two years, 1851- 53, the county seminary was used for collegiate purposes. It was capable of accommodating about one hundred fifty pupils.

There were three departments in the college work, the primary, the academic and the collegiate. The English course required three years and the classical course four years. Rev. Gilbert M. Dunn, A. M., was the first president of Brookville College and held the chair of languages and English literature. Rev. T. A. Goodwin, A. M., was the professor of mathematics and of mental and moral science; later he became the third president of the institution. Charles Lochner was professor of vocal and instrumental music ; James Shera was preceptor in primary department. Tuition in the primary department was two dollars per quarter; in the academic department, three dollars, and in the collegiate department, five dollars per quarter. Boarding could be had in good families in Brookville at from one dollar and fifty cents to two dollars per week.

In the first and second years of the existence of the college, I find but two students from outside of Franklin county. These were from Ripley county, Emily S. Alden and Amos D. Cunningham. It is interesting to note the course of study and the books used in the college. In the primary department the following books were used: Eclectic primer, spelling book, first, second and third readers, Smith's primary geography, first book of his- tory, Pasley's Bible stories of biography, Ray's first and second arithmetic and second book of history.

In the academic department the course of study included : English gram- mar, geography, arithmetic, analysis, aids to composition. history of the United States and philisophy. In the collegiate department, algebra, ancient history, bookkeeping, parsing, Latin grammar and botany were studied dur- ing the first term; in the second term, modern history, parsing and false syntax, algebra, botany, natural history, Latin and Greek grammar. The third term included logic, chemistry, trigonometry, astronomy, Latin and Greek. In the senior year mental philosophy, geology, astronomy, Greek and political economy were carried the first term, while the latter part of the senior year covered moral philosophy, evidences of Christianity, physiology and elements of criticism.

My first acquaintance with Brookville College was in October, 1853. The walls of the building then were finished to almost the third story. In

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November of the same year, two rooms were finished on the first floor, and the school was moved from the seminary to the college building. The first class was graduated in 1855. The following were the members of that class : Kate Barbour, of Springfield; Ada Haymond, of Brookville; Georgia Holland, of Brookville, and Sue Keely, of Brookville. The class of 1856 had but one member, Rouena Price, of Brookville. The class of 1857 had two members, Laura V. Hitt and Sallie F. H. Keely. In the class of 1858 were two members, M. Ella O'Byrne, of Springfield, Indiana, and E. M. Berwick, of Greencastle, Indiana. On November 18, 1857, I was enrolled as a scholar in Brookville College, and at the end of that year was informed by the president, George H. Chase, that if I would return the next year and study hard, I might graduate with the class which was one year and one term ahead of me in the college work. I was very much surprised at the information, but I came back and went through with the class, though taking only the English course. The graduating class of 1859, the one to which I belong, contained ten members, as follows: Hattie N. Binkley, Sarlton, Ohio; Emma M. Chafee, Brookville; R. Jennie Dole, Brookville; Amelia H. John, Brookville; P. Anna Kerrick, Liberty; Nancie V. Lock- wood, Fayette county ; Margaret L. McLean, Springfield; Mary A. Rous, Vevay, Indiana; Margaret Shaw, Vevay, and Lon M. Williams, Brookville. This was the largest class ever graduated from the old Brookville College, and larger than any class graduated from the Brookville high school until many years later.

SOME PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS.

I have now reached the point in my paper where I can give you what I knew personally of the Brookville College, its teachers, its students, and the friends of the college generally. When I came to the college, Rev. George A. Chase was president. He was a perfect gentleman, highly educated for that day, an excellent educator and greatly beloved by us all. John P. Rous, A. M., was professor of ancient languages ; J. H. Stephenson taught the collegiate department; Rev. John W. Locke, A. M., was lecturer on moral science; Joseph Ryman, teacher of academic department; Mrs. Chase, Henrietta S. Hay, M. Ella O'Byrne, teachers in the preparatory department; Rev. Max Huhans, teacher of German; Adolph Links, teacher of penmanship; Mrs. Annie L. Rous, teacher piano, guitar and melodeon. The assistant teachers were Mollie H. Rous, Emma M. Chafee and R. Jennie Dole.

Strange as it may seem, there were more people living in Brookville

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then than now, though probably there were not more than half as many houses in the town. At that time, when the doors of the houses opened several people came out. It was a rare thing to find a home with only two people living in it, and I do not think there was a house in town where one person lived alone. Quite a number of young people boarded here and attended college. The homes of Joseph Meeks, Robert John and Benjamin Remy were full of boarders and many others accommodated from one to three boarders. Board and room cost from one dollar and fifty cents to two dollars per week, and young men could board themselves for sixty cents a week.

I have lived in Brookville continuously for over forty-six years, and I have never seen together at one time since those days as many young peo- ple, congenial and of nearly the same age. We certainly enjoyed ourselves together. We had plenty of work to do to keep our places in the school, but we had what seemed to us amply sufficient fun and entertainment. We were all expected to attend church at least once on Sunday, and the old church in the valley was always well filled. We had a fine Sunday school, too. The residents of the town were all good to the students. Occasionally, on a Friday evening, we had what we call a "drop-in." That is, some good woman would send word to some of the boys that the next Friday evening her house would be open for all the young people who wished to come. Then each one of the boys invited a girl and took her to and from the party. Refreshments were never served. I never saw a playing card or heard the word dance mentioned. Yet, somehow, we had lots of fun and the time for going home came all too soon. At that time, charades, proverbs and other games were in fashion and we spent the evenings playing them. There was a reason why refreshments were not served at our parties. So many of the young people here at that time were non-residents and could not return the compliment in kind, so the rule "No refreshments" was adopted and strictly observed. The Widow Price, Joel Price's mother, then lived just across the river southwest of town, and more than once we were invited to have a "drop-in" there. That home then was full of fine boys and girls, or rather young men and women, as most of them were, and it is needless to say we always had a fine time there.

The Hitts, Hollands, Johns, Remys, Kings, Chafees and other families opened their homes to us in the same way. There were no bridges then, either at the paper mill or at the old Stringer ford below town, so in going to Mrs. Price's we had to cross the river in a skiff just below where Wright's mill is now, and, of course, that added to our enjoyment. There was at that

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time a dam across the river just about where the east and west forks of Whitewater came together, and the water being held back by that dam made a beautiful strip of water from the old White bridge south of town, around the bend east to the point north where now is the iron bridge on the Carmel pike. There was no bridge there until several years later. That strip of water was fine for boat riding and I especially recollect taking a ride several times up and down that part of the river one beautiful moonlight night in company with one of the college boys.

The skiffs used then were just large enough for two people to ride in with safety. I cannot now recall the name of the young man, neither do I remember one word of our conversation, but I do distinctly remember the beautiful moonlight shimmering on the rippling water and the lights and shadows between the fine old trees that covered the sides of the everlasting hills. I had a fright that evening that I have never forgotten. We girls sometimes wore little fancy white aprons with very long wide strings of the same material tied in a large bow at the back, as a finishing touch to our make-up. I wore my very prettiest apron that evening with the very longest strings. As we moved peacefully along just east of where Martin Weber's residence now stands, I looked back over my shoulder, and Oh! horrors! I saw what I was sure was a large water snake swimming just behind and trying to reach the boat. I was dreadfully shocked, but dis- played remarkable presence of mind, for I neither screamed, fainted nor fell out of the boat. What was the use! The young man's hands were both busy with the oars. I sat there a few seconds almost frozen with horror, expecting every second to feel that big snake crawling up my back and over my shoulder; but it didn't come, so I ventured another look just as the moon emerged from under a little cloud, and I discovered that the said snake was one of my apron strings floating full length just under the water and waving back and forth with the motion of the boat. I quickly pulled up the string, squeezed out the water and, for a wonder, said nothing. Even to this day, although more than a half century has passed, I can shiver a little when I think of the "snake" that was only my apron string.

We had in connection with our college work, a young men's literary society. A similar society for young ladies, called the Julia Dumont Society, organized December 16, 1853. We met in our society room each Friday just after the close of school. We always had interesting papers, discus- sions, etc.

The people of Brookville took great interest in the school and were proud of the college and its success. We had exercises every Friday after- noon, to which the public was invited and a goodly number of people always

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attended. The exercises consisted of essays, dialogues, declamations and music. Each of us had to take our turn in these exercises. Each year, several evening entertainments or exhibitions were given by the pupils and teachers in the college chapel in the third story of the building. In the chapel all the commencement exercises, which continued a whole week, were held. The whole upper story could be thrown into one room, and on every public occasion it was completely filled with people, every window being occupied also. A few times I heard the remark that the building was not entirely safe for such crowds of people, and I was always glad to see the last person safely down the stairs. However, in 1912, when I saw the men taking out the big timbers that supported the third floor, I felt sure that all our ancient fears were entirely groundless.

THE "COLLEGE CUT-UP."

That catalogue of 1857-58 shows that there were just two hundred pupils enrolled in the school. We had fine teachers in all departments. We also had the "college cut-up." He is still living, so I'll not mention his name. He had a few faithful followers who were always ready to help in any plans for fun that he might introduce. All was innocent fun, with noth- ing bad about it.

At the beginning of one of the terms while I was a pupil, a nice, quiet, innocent young man from the country came to the school. Our "cut-ups" soon discovered that he was a good subject on which to play their jokes, at least until he found them out. I think they played a great many jokes on that young man, but I know the particulars of only one. One day they inquired of him if he had ever gone snipe hunting. He said he never had. Well, they told him it was great fun and some night they would take him with them on a snipe-hunting expedition. They informed him that the way to hunt snipes was to go at night to some island in the river, put one fellow at one end of the island to hold a bag open while the other fellows would go to the other end of the island and drive the snipes right into the bag. They appointed a night for the hunt, took their victim with them and rowed across in a skiff to the island selected, placed him at one end of the island, and left him there. It was a cold night, too. After waiting until he was nearly frozen, he either concluded that he was the victim of a very unpleasant joke or that the boys had forgotten him. He waded to shore and reached his boarding house some time between midnight and morning.

Times change and people change with them, but some people change less than one would think. In those days we had with us the funny fellow

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who rocked the boat just to hear the girls scream, and he rocked the boat with the usual result. However, nothing more serious ever happened to any of the girls than a complete ducking and that happened only a few times.

But to return to the history of Brookville College. For the first seven years of its existence, it was called "Brookville Female College," and until the year 1860 only young women were graduated. In 1860 the first young man was graduated in a class of seven, B. Milton Remy. After that year in nearly every graduating class there were young men. The last college class was graduated in 1872. The members of that class were as follow : Sadie Pyke, Kokomo, Indiana; Mattie Adams, T. H. Barton and H. F. Showalter, of Brookville. During its twenty years of existence, Brookville College turned out fifty-nine graduates who have filled or are filling today positions of trust and responsibility. During the twenty years the college had ten presidents, as follow: Rev. Gilbert M. Dunn, A. M., 1851-52; O. E. Fitch, 1852-53; Rev. T. A. Goodwin, D. D., 1853-54; Rev. John W. Locke, D. D., 1855-56; Rev. J. A. Beswick, acting president, half year ; Rev. George A. Chase, A. M., 1856; Augustus D. Lynch, A. M., 1859-61 ; Rev. David H. Sherman, A. M., 1861-62; Rev. William R. Goodwin, D. D., 1862-66; Rev. John H. Martin, D. D., 1860-69; Rev. John P. D. John, D. D., LL. D., 1869-72; Jason L. Rippetoe, A. M., 1872-73. Each president was assisted hy an able corps of teachers.

Owing to the many educational institutions started in the territory from which Brookville College derived its support, and the excellent public school system of Indiana, it became evident that the college, without an endowment, must succumb to the inevitable. The quarterly conference of the Methodist Episcopal church met in Connersville in 1872, and the ministers passed resolutions pledging their labor and influence in its behalf. Its friends in Brookville made heroic sacrifices, contributing liberally of their private means, but their efforts were futile. Jason L. Rippetoe did all he could under such adverse circumstances and with becoming dignity officiated during the expiring days of Brookville College.

In 1873 the building was sold to the town for a public school building, and in 1912 it was torn down and replaced by the present public school building. I often think over the happy days I spent in the old college, and frequently ask myself the question, "Where, oh, where are all those dearly- loved friends of my youth?" And echo answers "Where?"

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PEORIA ACADEMY.

By Florence S. Gurr.

Peoria Academy was established in the village of that name, in Spring- field township, Franklin county, Indiana, in 1852. The founder of the academy and its main inspiration was William Bell Rust, who was born in Duchess county, New York, in 1815. He moved from New York to College Hill, Ohio, about 1840, and here he met and married Henrietta Lewis. To this union were born two sons, and while they were small, the wife and mother died. Shortly after her death, Mr. Rust moved with his sons to Peoria, Indiana, and soon began agitating the question of establishing an institution of learning in the village.

William B. Rust was a highly educated man along many different lines. It has been said of him that he was at least fifty years ahead of his time and that his ideas were so advanced he would have been more appreciated at the present time. He appears to have been a man of some means, although he did not have enough money to build a building and establish an academy on his own account. In order to finance his proposed institution a stock company was organized. Thirty-two public-spirited citi- zens of Peoria and vicinity took shares with the understanding that Rust would buy them up as fast as possible. In fact, his school was so successful that he did buy up most of the shares, while the other stockholders exchanged their financial interest in the academy for tuition and in this way got the value of their investment. Rust himself headed the subscription list with one hundred and fifty dollars, the next largest being only twenty-five dollars less. The remaining stockholders subscribed for varying amounts down to five dollars. Among the names of these stockholders may be mentioned Joseph Smith, John Heard, William Beard, Jacob Beard, I. S. Crane, James Urmston, Joseph B. Horton, Peter Heard, Simeon Conn and James H. Blacker.

The first meeting of the stockholders was held June 19, 1852, and organized by selecting William Beard as chairman and I. S. Crane as secre- tary. After an organization was affected the articles of agreement between William Rust and the stockholders were read. A motion was made and carried that, in the transfer of the deed, a clause should be inserted securing to the stockholders and community the right and privilege of any orthodox church to use the house for church services forever. While the academy building was in process of construction Mr. Rust taught for two winters in the Asbury (Methodist Episcopal) chapel at Peoria. The academy build-

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ing is still standing. It is a two-story brick structure and was built largely by Joseph B. Horton, who was also a stockholder. Joseph Smith, another stockholder, superintended its erection. The upper story was used as a dormitory for the young men who could not obtain rooms in "Stringtown," a name given to a row of twelve or fourteen small rooms built back of the college. Each of these rooms contained a small stove, bed, table and two chairs. The students boarded themselves, bringing their provisions from home every week or buying them in the village. The young women lived in the principal's house, which was immediately south of the academy build- ing. This was later destroyed by fire and with it the township library.

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History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 36

Author: Reifel, August J Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : B.F. Bowen Number of Pages: 1648

Author: Reifel, August J
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1648